In the News:

WA defence share is not good enough: Josh Wilson

Shane WrightThe West Australian

Monday, 3 September 2018 2:00AM

Camera IconThe Government is spending close to $90 billion on new frigates and submarines and there are concerns WA will miss out on substantial parts of these projects. Pictured is a Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigate.Picture: Ross Swanborough.

Labor is demanding the Federal Government sink more into WA’s defence sector after revelations by a Liberal MP that the State had missed out on important multibillion-dollar contracts.

Fremantle MP Josh Wilson said yesterday that it was clear that even members of the Government knew WA had been short-changed as part of its massive defence spending on new ships and submarines.

The Weekend West revealed that in an email to constituents about the events surrounding the deposing of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, member for Moore Ian Goodenough cited the lack of defence contracts for WA as one of the reasons for his support for a new leader.

“Energy policy was the main issue of contention at the time, however, there were many other issues of concern to different members and senators including the inadequate way the Government was handling drought relief, defence shipbuilding contracts not being awarded to WA companies, the manner in which $444 million was allocated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and concerns over some of the taxation policies,” he wrote.

WA Liberals have openly praised the awarding of contracts to the State, focusing in particular on the $300 million contract for the nation’s Pacific patrol boats and a $2.8 billion deal to build 10 of 12 offshore patrol vessels here.

The Government is spending close to $90 billion on new frigates and submarines and there are concerns WA will miss out on substantial parts of these projects.

Mr Wilson said the claim by Liberal MPs that WA had been a big winner out of the increase in defence projects had always been shallow.